Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Bit of a debate amongst some UK GSX 650F owners about ABS for 2010 model. It's not fitted to 2009 and prior years models and we don't expect it for 2010 despite some misleading Suzuki blurb which probably shows it is fitted to some models in other countries like US and Ozz.. Anyone out there able to confirm this??

My local suzuki dealer only stated ABS would be on the GSX1250F as standard, but no plans for 650f as far as he knows. He did say the colour scheme for the 650f had changed in 2010.

Suzukistuff -
Am sure you are right about UK model and no ABS - do you take in the UK GSX 650F forum?? This is where the debate was posted recently.

I saw a brand new 2010 GSX650F in store last week. No ABS.

Have a look at the Blue & white model in the pictures (2nd image) posted of the 2010 models in the gallery. recent post.
ABS is marked on the front guard, so they are definately available. I have seen the same on the Black/Orange model.

From what I hear, it seems that the countries that got ABS in 2009 (Canada, Holland, France,...), will continue to get it in 2010, but the countries that have never had ABS (US, UK, Australia,...), will continue to not get it in 2010.

Too bad, it could save lives. I believe that ABS would only put up the price about $500 (ABS was an option on the 2007 Bandit 650 in Canada, it cost $400 then).

The ABS used on the GSX650F is a simple, first generation system. It is effective however.

Some of other forums I participate in have posters reported real life experiences with ABS, and they have all been 100% positive experiences. Will be a must-have if I ever get another bike.

if you wanted abs perhaps a way to get it would be to look for a crashed 1250 bandit and retrofit to the GSXF.

Not 100% sure if it will fit up spot on but it might be an option.

seams silly to me that ABS is available on the 650 bandit but not the GSX650F

Maybe ABS is not avail on 650F because would take bike out of price point Suzuki is targeting for?

GSXjoe, where was the discussion?? didnt realise there was a uk section?

knolltop314 - when i was chatting to the local suzuk dealer he said adding abs would make it too expensive. In the uk it would add at least another £500 i think he said, not to mention it would probably make it heavier

its the UK gsx650f forum and can be found at :- http://gsx650f.me.uk/forum/

According to the Oz Suzuki site abs adds 4 kgs to the 1250 bandit so I'd guess something similar to the GSX650F

When they did have prices up on the site a while back the price difference between bandit 1250 with and without abs was $500 (aud) so I'm guessing with inflation and such that there might be somewhere between $500 and $1000 difference now. (BTW to buy all the parts new from a dealer to retrofit to your bike will cost over $3000 - better to buy it on the bike IMO)

IMO the wieght gain (negligable) and the price increase (in reality it's negligable for the safety factor increase) is worth the time and effort of suzuki to do it.

If they already have a system on other Suzuki's (especially the bandit which is the same frame layout) and some countrys already get abs on the GSXF it's a shame that places like Oz, UK etc etc don't get it. <--- Are you listening Suzuki. Put ABS on the GSX650F world wide.

duhla -I agree - doesn't make sense not to offer in UK as many competitor machines do have as an option for about £300 and I think I would have gone for it if available at that price.
One to ask Suzuki - which I will do - as little mysteries like this need to be cleared up.
My guess is that K8 (first edition) was not ABS as it was less common then - K9 and K10 maybe the downturn/recession foreseeen and decision made to focus purely on price.

c u r now looking into UK forum as well.

yer, thought i'd have a butchers around over there as you never know what I might learn/find out or be able to help with

seams like a nice forum too.

I've read mixed responses.

Last week I read a post from a guy riding a BMW (not sure what model) down the freeway at 100km/h. The ABS malfunctioned and the caliper locked onto the front wheel.
He now owns a smashed BMW and just got out of hospital. His opinion was that he would never touch an ABS bike again. I don't blame him.

Personaly I prefer to learn and aquire the skills of threshold braking and knowing the point that my tyre will skid rather than to rely on ABS.
ABS is only going to be of a benefit to you if you panic and grab a fistfull in a hurry to stop, however don't be fooled into thinking that ABS
is designed to make you stop quicker. It's not. ABS just helps you maintain traction control and that is all.
Sometimes it will even take you longer to stop with ABS fitted and that has been proven many times.

Your own brain, body and human senses are the most advanced ABS system available on the planet. We just get too damn lazy and want technology to take care of it for us.

IMO bikerboy is largely, and possibly entirely, correct about a well-trained rider not needing ABS.
But, also IMO, large segment of riders will not become that well-trained.